Billups' strained hamstring injury early in the first quarter was the first of many setbacks for the Pistons as Orlando won the opening tip and never looked back in handily defeating Detroit, 111-86.

In addition to snapping a nine-game postseason losing streak to Detroit, one of the longest in NBA history, Wednesday's game was the largest margin of victory for either team in this series.

Orlando's Rashard Lewis led all scorers with a playoff career-high 33 points, including five 3-pointers.

PLAYOFF PRIMER

Highlights of the Orlando Magic's 111-86 NBA playoff victory against the Detroit Pistons in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference semifinal matchup on Wednesday:

• Key play: Trailing 67-64 near the end of the third quarter, the Pistons had a fast-break opportunity to either tie the score or make it a one-point game. Instead, Richard Hamilton turned the ball over. On the ensuing Orlando possession, Rashard Lewis sank a 3-pointer. That would be Detroit's last opportunity to draw even with the Magic.

• Hero: Lewis stepped up in a big way for the Magic, scoring 18 of his game-high 33 points in the first half. His scoring, along with getting Rasheed Wallace in foul trouble, were huge contributors to Orlando's win.

• Goat: Jason Maxiell was a non-factor at both ends of the floor. The 6-foot-7 forward was scoreless while missing both of his field-goal attempts. In addition, he didn't provide the kind of defensive presence they needed in his one-on-one matchup with Dwight Howard.

• Analysis: Injuries have a way of leveling the playing field in the playoffs, something we saw first-hand in Game 3 on Wednesday. The Pistons talk as though Chauncey Billups strained right hamstring) will play Saturday. But when it comes to hamstring injuries, the Pistons won't know for sure if he'll be able to go until he steps on the floor. And even if that happens, there's no telling how much he'll be able to do. Fortunately for the Pistons, they'll have a couple days before Game 4 to rest Billups and, if needed, develop a game plan in case he can't play.

"I made my first couple and I really felt I was going to have it going tonight," Lewis said.

Said Pistons coach Flip Saunders: "He caused us a lot of problems with regards to making 3s and ... being able to isolate to take us off the dribble."

Detroit leads the best-of-seven series 2-1 with Game 4 in Orlando on Saturday.

The Pistons made things interesting with a spurt at the end the third quarter that cut Orlando's lead down to four points going into the fourth.

But the amount of energy exerted by Detroit to make the game close left little in the tank as the Magic opened the fourth quarter with an 11-0 run.

"Basically, we entered the fourth quarter and missed some shots and just ran out of gas," Saunders said.

And the Magic, to their credit, got into a rhythm offensively early with several players contributing to their best game of this series.

Orlando got a big game out of Dwight Howard (20 points, 12 rebounds and a game-high six blocked shots) and Jameer Nelson (18 points, seven rebounds and four assists).

The way the Magic played, Detroit would have been hard-pressed to win on Wednesday.

But not having Billups, whose suffered his strained right hamstring injury 3:49 into the game, didn't help matters.

"He's our quarterback and runs our team," Saunders said. "You saw the first two games. He's been a big part of why we were successful."

Billups came into Wednesday's game averaging 23.5 points, 5.5 assists and three rebounds in the first two games -- both Detroit wins.

Saunders said that he expected Billups would play Saturday.

"He's sore right now, but it's one of these things where we won't know for the next 24 hours," Saunders said. "But we're shooting for him to play on Saturday."

If Billups can't play, Rodney Stuckey would start in his place.

The rookie played more than 34 minutes on Wednesday, and finished with 19 points, eight of which were scored in the third quarter when Detroit closed the gap.

"It was definitely a hired gun out there we missed," said Rasheed Wallace, referring to Billups' shooting touch. "But Stuck did a pretty good job of coming in, running the offense, being aggressive, staying aggressive. It's kudos for Stuck."

Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy praised his team for a well-played game, but was quick to add that Billups' absence was also a factor in the final outcome.

"You can't negate that," Van Gundy said. "He's not only a great player he's their leader, he runs everything. Rodney Stuckey is a terrific young player and did a hell of a job today, but Chauncey Billups is their guy and it definitely had a huge affect on the game. There is absolutely no question."